George Shinas is a heraldic artist and researcher, expertizing on Armory.
He has been a heraldic artist, calligrapher and manuscript illuminator for approximately twenty years. He is specialized in the design and creation of Heraldic Insignia and Diplomas for Noble Houses, Chivalric Orders and other civilian and ecclesiastical Organizations. He has assisted into the creation of their Coats- Armour, dynastic houses of de Borbon, de Bragança, Aragon, Cordoba and other illustrious armigers around the world.
His ability to conform to various needs and styles, has made him a reputation for responding successfully to demanding situations. Main mission is to create in a way that the value of the armiger is made evident, contributing to the positive feedback that every illustrious individual deserves.
He is the author and illustrator of the “Manual of Heraldic Art and Armory (the history, customs and evolution of Arms Armorial from the Middle Ages to the modern era)”, which is the first extensive book on such subject in the Greek language since 1929.
He has lectured in public schools and various cultural centres in Athens, Greece, on subjects concerning European history, art and culture. As a visual artist, he has contributed his work to four book publications. He is a member of the Hellenic Heraldic and Genealogical Society and a Fellow of the Heraldic Institute.
He has been received the following awards for his heraldic work (starting with the later):
1. Gold Cross of the Ancient, Patriarchal Order of Parabalani of Sabba the Sanctified, under His Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa (2023).
2. Cross of Merit, Commandery of Saint Severin MHOSLJ, Austria (2023).
3. Real Associação de Guardas de Honra, Portugal (2022).
4. Caballero de Merito of the Catholic University of New Spain, “La Noble Compania de Bernardo de Galvez” Miami, Florida (2019).
5. Ranked as Herold to PhDr. Don Marco de Guadamillas y Cortés,
Marquis of Cortés d’Aragón & Sta. Catalina, decorated with the Dynastic Order (2018).
6. Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Lion of Godenu, Ghana (2016).
7. Star of the Brotherhood of Saint Theodore of the Ephesian
Orthodox Patriarchate (2011).
Thinking of Heraldry as a vivid and vibrant art, he hopes that he can contribute, in his own way, towards the propagation of this important cultural heritage in his home country and further afield.